About Me

When not nosing, tasting, drinking and reading about malt whisky, I own one of Israel's premiere boutique coaching practices, specializing in small businesses and executive teams.
Trained in the law, I was an international law attorney and took part in Israel's peace negotiations with the Palestinians, as well as representing my country at the UN for parts of the negotiations on the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Later I was appointed to the military bench.
My favorite thing, other than whisky, is teaching.
You can contact me through the social media buttons above or by email: michael(at)maltandoak.com, replacing the (at) with an @.

Statement of Integrity and Guidelines

Malt and Oak is an independent whisky blog, offering my own views, opinions and news from the world of malt whisky.
These are my guidelines:

1. All whisky reviews published are of whiskies I have personally tasted and noted. Guest bloggers only write about their own personal tastings.

2. With the exception of official whisky samples, I accept no consideration whatsoever from any distillery, bottler, distributor, drink company or store for my opinions.

3. I maintain strict impartiality and objectivity in tasting all whiskies, not least when tasting official samples. Any review of official whisky samples sent to me will be so noted in the post.

4. I will accept invitations to tastings, events and official visits, and full disclosure will be made on any tasting notes and articles resulting from these events or visits.

5. Any sample received over 30 ml in volume is shared with fellow whisky bloggers. In any event, no sample larger than 100 ml will be accepted.

6. No advertisements promoting specific brands will be accepted.

7. I will answer any inquiry by my readers as quickly and as fully as possible.

8. Should I give a link purchase the reviewed whisky, it will be given free of any commercial interest. The link given will always point to cheapest selling price I found on the web. No commission is paid, nor any other consideration given, for such link.

9. As of July 2017, I serve as Douglas Laing’s Israel brand ambassasdor. As such, I will obviously not be posting reviews of Douglas Laing products.

Talisker 8, vintage 2009, Diageo Special Releases 2018 (59.4%)

One of the most anticipated expressions of this year’s special releases is the Talisker 8. Talisker, most known for the 10 year old, has harked back to an old standard bottling from the 1970s actually presented with the then leftward facing Johnnie Walker logo.

Photo Credit: whisky-onlineauctions.com

The Talisker 8 was hotly anticipated because the special releases are expensive. They’re showcase whiskies, and are priced as such. But there are two perennial releases that are priced in the “drinker” range (Which I normally put around €100): The Lagavulin 12 and the yearly Caol Ila Unpeated edition, which have ranged from 8 to 18 years. This year, the Talisker 8, at around €70 is even more accessible.

The Lagavulin 8, which wasn’t part of the special releases, came out in 2015 to celebrate Lagavulin’s 200th anniversary and due to its popularity (which probably has to do with the higher ABV it was presented at – 48%), became a part of the core range. Can we expect that to happen with the Talisker 8? This could actually go both ways. The Talisker 25 started out as a special release, first in 2001 as part of the first release, and it then ran between 2004-2009, whence it became a permanent part of the core range, reduced to 45.8%. This route would seem a bit pointless, since the 10 and the NAS expressions have the entry level covered nicely. Thus, another option is to go with this as a yearly special release, like the Lagavulin 12 and the Caol Ila unpeated, keeping the 8 at cask strength. Interesting choices.

The release is currently a bit hard to come by, and has sold out quickly from all outlets, although I assume more will be supplied. Either way, this foretells well for the continuation of the release.

Nose: Creamy malt with peat, salt, some vanilla and oak. There’s a fresh fruitiness like the residual scent after a tangerine was peeled in a room, and a smoky coconut.

Palate: Sweet and citrusy, honey, sweet peat. The citrus here is bright, close to an orange. Pepper and some cooked clove.

Linger: Honey and a tad of salt, with gentle pepper and custard. There’s spice around the gullet. The sweetness in the mouth and the spice around the gullet is long lasting, with a hint of the coconut.

Conclusion

Not the most complex dram in the world, but it’s very drinkable. This is a fun dram.